Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the mean from all the submissions.
